Traction-engine.



A. D. COL.

TRACTION ENGXNE. APPLICATIQN F|-LEo1uLY1.1915.

Patented sept.. 18,1917.l

3 SHEETS--SHEETv 2.

TED; sa'rns area* Frison..

.ARTHUR D. COLE, OF FORT PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA.

TRACTION-ENGIN E.

Application led July 1, 1915.

Specioation of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 1917.

serial No. 37,496.

engine embodying my improvements. 2 is a side elevation of tht` same. Fig. 3 is a part sectional elevation through thc drive shaft for the wheels. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view showing the transmission mechanism in4 detail. Fig. 5 is a detail of the clutch shifting mechanism` The frame of my tractor is comprised 'entirely of angle steel fastened together wit-h plates and rivets. The horizontal Amembers of the frame are confined to two planes, one slightly above the wheel axle wheels and av frame supported upon they axle ot' said wheels in such manner that' the. engine and transmission elements shall be well suspended below the aXle vof said wheels, sain` frame being constructed in two planes' and braced and cross-braced together so as to make an exceptionally. strong and' durable construction. It is also an object of my invention to provide a novel system of driving means and transmission in combination with clutch mechanism whereby either' traction wheel can be driven in either direction at will while the engine is running at one speed ahead, the steering of the engine being entirely effected by the operation of the wheels.

In carrying out the latter construction I drive each of the wheels through a separate shaft each of which is adapted to be driven by a separate gear. These gears may severally be placed in drivii'ig connection through a clutch organization with one or the other of two driven gears operated in reverse direction from the erahk shaft of the automobile. rlhe elu'tchesfor the two drive gears are adaptedc tobe independently actuated, so that it is pbssible to drive both traction wheels in the'same direction either forward' or backward, to drive either traction wheel by itself either forward or backward, or to drive one wheel forward while the other is being driven backward, thus enabling the engine to be turned vvery rapidly and eili eiently.

'.lhe full objects and advantages of my in- "ention will appear in connection with the detailed description thereof-and are particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, illustratingthe applica'- tion of my invention in one form.

Figure lis a plan view of a traction and one a .considerable distance below. The upper horizontal part of the frame is eomprised of the two straight longitudinal members 10 and the two bent longitudinal" members l1, all having their anges turned upward; also the transverse members 12, 13 and ll, members 12 and lil having their fianges in, and member 13 coming above the wheel axle 15. These members are fastened together by means of the plates 16 which are riveted tothem. r1`he lower horizontal part of the frame is comprised of the two longitudinal members 17 and the trans- .verse members 18, 1S) and 20, members 17 and 19 having their flanges turnedl downward and members 18 and 20 having them turned upward, y the whole being rigidly vriveted together by means of the plates 21; rlhe lower horizontal part of the frarre is hung and rigidly secured to the upper horizontal part by the vertical members and plates 23. making the frame light, rigid and economical of construction.

The wheel axle 15 and the countershaft 24 are journalcd in bearingsI and 26 supported from the members l() and ll of the upper horizontal part of the frame; The engine 27, the engine shaft 2S and thel transmission shaft, 29 are .fastened and journaled to the lower horizontal part of the frame.

The drive wheels of the tractor, which wheels are two ini-number, are built up of steel and arcimade from the rolled rim 30, the bar spokes 3l and the east hub 32.

'lhey are loosely journaled on the shaft l5 'lhe power received andtransmitted by. the

wheels is taken through thehinternal gears 35, said gears being bolted to the spokes 31 of the wheels. 4

The engine 27 is located at the front of my tractor to counterbalance the transmission machinery which is located at the rear.

`The engine'is bolted to the members 17 of lthe frame through the 4lugs 36, havin the crank 37 projecting ahead of the; rame proper to convenience crankin the 7iengine. The engine shaft 28 has the ad itional bearing 38 attached to member 19 of the frame, said shaft terminating in the bevel gear 39 which'ls keyed thereto and is the driver' 'for the transmission system now to be described.

y The transmission system, as best shown in Fig. 4, consists of a plurality of gears 40, 41, 42 and 43 and clutches 44, 45, 46 and 47 ,mounted on thetransmission shaft 29, said serve as one element of clutches 44, 45, 46

and 47. Clutch 45 is splined on shaft 29 and is supplied with the grooved collar 51. Clutch 44 is also splined to shaft 29 and also carries a grooved hub 52, which groove lies between clutch 44 and spur gear 42, of which gear clutch 44 is an integral part. Clutches 46 and 47, and gear 43, are all integral and rotate or slide longitudine carry the grooved hub .53 which lies between gear 43 and clutch 47;

This one solid mass of arts is lfree to ily on shaft 29. Shaft 29 itself is constrained to rotational movement only by collars 54 fastened thereto by 'set screws.- Grooves 51, 52 and 53 have engaged therein shift arms 55, 56 and 5'7 and are fork-shaped to shift aforementioned gears and clutches in a longitudinal direction. Shift arms 55, 56 and 57 are rigidly fastened to s'hift rods 58 and 59 by means of set screws, which rods slide in holes in blocks G0, said blocks being bolted to members 17 of the frame. Rod 58 is situated somewhat higher than rod 59 in order to allow the arms and 57, which aresecured to rod 59, to pass under rod 58. Rodt 58 and shift arm 5G, which move as one, are actuated by the bell crank 6l and the links 62 and 63. llink 63 connects bell crank 61 with shift arm 5G and is pivoted at the points of connection. Link 62 connectsbell crank 6l with catch lever 64 and is also pivoted at the points of connection, the joints being made loose enough to give the necessary play required on account of the mechanism not being conned to one plane.

Fig. 5,.shows part ol' the catch lever 64 and my improved catch attached thereto. As is clearly shown in Fig. 2, the catch lever 64 is pivoted at 65 'on the bracket 66, said bracket being bolted to the member 22 of the frame and provided with a segment 67 having a catch notch 68. Catch lever 64 carries at its upper extremity a T lever 69 pivotally mounted on lever G4 at 70 and pivotally attached to the catch rod 73 at 71, also having the ropes 74 and 75 attached at 72 and 76. Catch rod 7 3 which slides up and down in a slot in casting 77 bolted to y lever 64 engages in the notch 68 of segment 67. Catch lever 64 projects beyond its point of pivot 65 to carry the link 62 and a tension coil spring 78, the other end -of which is secured to the member19 of the frame.` The former mentioned shift rod 59 and lever arms 55 and 57, which move as one, are actuated by a bell crank 79 and links 80 and 8l which connect to a catch lever similar to lever 64 situated on the other side of the frame, as shown in Fig. 1.

Taking up the remaining portion of the transmission system. I will refer you to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The gears and 42 previously referred to in Fig. 4 mesh 'with gears 82 and 83, best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Gears 82 and 83 are cast in one piece with pnions 84 and 85 through the sleeves S6 and 87. Sleeves 86 and 87 rotating on shaft 24 are journaled in bearings 26 hung from members l0 and 11 of the frame. Sleeve 86 is deprived of longitudinal sliding by means of pinion 84 and collar 88.

and gear 83, said gear pinions and collars running close up to the bearing 26. Shaft 24, which is only required for rigidity, is prevented from sliding by collars 89. Pinions 84 and 85 mesh with internal gears 35 lthrough which the power is applied to the* wheels and are the last gears in the transmission train.

The complete control of the tractor, which is effected through the right and left hand ropes 74 and 75, is extremely simple and is explained as follows. These ropes terminate in loops, as shown in Fig. 2, which are held in the operators hands. Due to the simplicity of lengthening or shortening the length of the ropes the operator can sit on a seat on the rear of the tractor, not shown in any of the views, or the vehicle .or machine drawn or pushed, or he can walk on the ground, as may best lit the circum stances; The operation so far as concerns the control -of thc tractor for forward or backward movement or for steering, generally stated, is as follows: The retracting devices consisting of the springs 78 which operate on the control levers andconnected clutches .or similar elements of the trans- Sleeve 87 is y deprived of longitudinal sliding by pinion mission system bj'ynwhich the wheelsare ixi- 130 diependently drivenv at will, act thoidor shift said levers and associated devicesinto" the forward position whereby both wheels will be turned in a direction to cause the tractor to move forward and the tractor will move forward in a straight lineso long as said levers are ypermitted to remain in such forward position. In the central position of the levers rto which they may be shifted by a pull upon the same and in which they may be locked, if desired., by .the devices'described, both wheels will be l.disconnected and the tractor will remain at iest or, as will be obvious, either lever may be shifted to the central position to cause the tractor to turn toward the side on which said levervis located owingl to the fact that its appropriate wheel is disconnectedr from the power while the wheel on the opposite side is driven forward. A relaxation of the pull so as to allow the Asprings to shift the levers from central to forward position will cause the tractor to move forward. A strong pull upon the control levers against the action of the spring so as to shift them from the central position to the extreme backward position, will cause the wheels to be connected to the drive power in a manner to cause the tractor to nieve backwardly. During such backward movement the relaxation of pull upon either lever will allow it and its associated drive mechanism to be shifted to the central or neutral position by the action of the spring and steering may be effected therefore during rearward movement in the same way as during forward movement. A. pull upon the right-hand lever shifting it from forward position to extreme. backward position, (the lever upon the opposite side being at such time retained under the action of the spring in position for forward drive) will cause the tractor to turn upon itself in obvious manner and vice versa it may be caused to turn upon itself in the opposite direction by pulling the lefthand control lever to eXtreme backward position, the lever and associated devices upon the other side beingV at such time moved into or retained in. the eitreine forward position of the lever by the action of the spring when the pull on the latter lever is relaxed. To operate the levers 64 he twists his hands so as tol pull the ropes 74 morethan ropes 75, `and so moves theT lever 69 and catch rods 73 so as to disengage the catches from the' notches 68. Springs 78 immediately tend/v4 to draw levers 64 away from the operator,

who by pulling ropes 74 and 75 can cause said levers to oscillate on bolt as a ful- Crum and leave said levers in their forward positions, or can hold them in their back-4 ward positions. After the levers have reached their forward positions the ropes can be left in a slack position. When the 1e- `which rotation can be traced through the ver .64 isin its forward position bell crank 6.1 is in' the dotted psition shown in Fig. 4, and rod '58 and arm 56 are moved to the right so that clutch 47 engages with the clutch element of gear 41. If the engine shaft 28 has the direction of rotation shown by the arrow in Fig. 4, as is customary with most automobile engines, the left-hand wheel is caused to turn in a forward direction,

75 gear train 39 to 4l, 43 to 82, 84 to 35, as is well shown in Fig. 2. When the lever 64 is in the rear position the clutch 46, which is also integral with gear 43, engages with the clutch member of gear 40 and hence causes the left-hand wheel to revolve backward. In the central position of the lever 64 neither clutch is engaged and the wheel stands still in an identical manner. Clutches 45 and 46 and gear 42, through the splines in shaft 29, all rotate together and through the shift arms 55 and 5'( are shifted together, thereby producing the forward and reverse rotation of the right-hand wheel in an identical manner with` the left-hand wheel. It will be further noted that as clutches 44 and 45 are shifted together and. likewise clutches 46 and 47, that there cannot be a locked condition of the mechanism and that further each wheel is independently controlled. In vsteering; the operator manipulates the right-hand ropes 74 and '75 if he wishes to go to the right and shifts the lever 64 in the forward`direction if he wishes to ,go forward. It is obvious that the controlling device is similar in; operation and in terminal construction to that used in the guidance of horses, a feature well appreciated by men accustomed to such forms of power. It is also readily seen that the controllingr device has all the flexibility f the reins used "with horses orl other draft animals. l

My invention provides a novel and eRective'draft bar which is well shown in Fig. 2. Slotted castings 90 are bolted to thempper and lower members l2,"4, 18 and 2O of the frame in their centers and are also provided with holes throughwhich the pins 91 caiifbe inserted. Similar castings 92 which 115 aralso slotted to fit castings 90 and provided with holes to receive the pins 91, are fastened tothe drawbar 93 by bolts or rivets.

Drawbar 93 is made of three pieces, 93, 94

and 95, ali fastened together by plates and rivets, as shown in Fig. 2. rhe draft is secured from the member 93 of the drawbar by ordinary means, not shown. Line of draft of'drawbar 93 can be lowered by reversing the castings 90 and 92. as shown by 125 the dotted lines to the left of Fie'. 2. A similar drawbar with a trailer is shown in the dotted ,lines to theright of Fig. 2, which can be applied to the end of the tractor not csirrying the regular drawbar 93.

` wheels,

e ing upon the axle I claim: v l.V A traction engine comprising a pair of Iupon which said wheels are journaled, said frame comprising one set of members resting uponthe axle and another setl of members below the axle and rigidly secured thereto, an engine and transmission system mounted upon the lower portion drawbar having a pivotal connection with both portions of said frame.

2. A traction engine comprising a pair of wheels, a frame including a transverse axle upon which said wheels are journaled, said framecomprising one set of members :restand another set of inembers below the axle and rigidly secured thereto, an engine and transmission system mounted upon the lower portion of said frame so as to hang suspended from the axle, a drawbar having a pivotal connection with both portions of said frame, said transmisv direction, and means v mounted upon ysion comprising means for driving either of the traction wheels independently in either extending back of the drawbar for use of ,the operator -said transmission toieffect steering of the engine. v 3. A traction engine comprising a vpairof *wheels a frame including a transverse axle yupon which said wheels 'are journaled, `said .frame comprising one set of members rest# ing upon the axle and another set of mem.

bers below the axle and rigidly secured thereto, an engine and transmission systems.v

the lower portion of said' mounted upon frame so as -to hang suspended from the axle, a draw bar having a pivotal conection with both portions ofsaid frame, said transmission comprising means for driving either of the traction wheels independently in *either direction, and a pair of lines extending back of the drawbar for use of the operator to control said 'transmission to effect/steering of the engine.

4. A traction engine comprising a wheels,

pair hf a. frame including a transverse axle upon which said wheels are journaled, said ferentially driving said wheels comprising l an independent shaft for each wheel, a pair of oppositely-driven clutch members for each of said shafts, and means under control of a frame including a transverse axle of said frame so as to hang suspended from the axle, and a.

to control 'members, a pair of the operator for eiecting at will driving connection of either or both of said shafts withv either of its or their corresponding clutch members.

6 In combination with .a 'traction engine having two traction wheels, means for diff ferentially driving said wheels comprising an independent shaft for each wheel, a pair of oppositely-driven clutch members, a slidable gear between said clutch members having driving connection with one of said shafts, controllable means connected with said gear for operatively connecting the same with eithero'f said clutch members, a second sliding gear having operative connection with the other shaft, and controllable means for operatively connecting said second gear to either of said clutch members.

7. ln' combination with 'a traction engine having` two traction wheels, means for differentially driving said. wheels comprising an independent shaft for each wheel, a pair of A,double-faced clutch members provided with facing bevel gears, a bevel gear on the crank shaft of the angine meshing with both of said bevel gears for driving the clutch members in opp/insite directions, a gear provided with la pair of oppositely -turned clutch faces slidable so' as to engage either of said gear clutch faces with either of the ladjacent clutch faces of the clutch members,

said ear having driving connection with one of said shafts, another gear operatively connected with a pair of clutch faces adapted to be alternately engaged with one or the other of the outer clutch faces of said clutch members, said last-named gear having driving connection with the other shaft, and

means under the control of the operator for shifting eitherl of said sliding sets of clutch members independently and at will for effecting driving connection of either or both of said shafts with either of said clutch members.

8. ln combination with a traction engine having two traction wheels, means for differentially driving said wheels comprising an independent shaft foreach wheel, a pair of double-faced oppositely-driven clutch corresponding clutch members for each shaft engageable with one of the faces of each of said oppositely-driven clutch members, andl means under the control of the op rator for causing said clutches to be engaged or disengaged to drive either of said traction wheelsvindependently forward or backwardorto permit them 'to in* dependently travel free.

9. In combination with a traction engine having two traction wheels, means for dif ferentially driving .said wheels comprising an independent shaft for each wheel.' :i pair of oppositely driven clutch members, a clutch system for and having operative connection with each. shaft, and means under the control of the operator for independently actuating said clutch systems for `effecting at will driving connection of either or both of said shafts with either or bothk of said clutch members, said meanscomprising rearwardly-extending flexible members ior operating -the clutches in one direction and springs tensioned by such operation for operating the clutches in the opposite direction.

10. In combination with a traction engine havingI two traction wheels, .means for differentially driving said wheels comprising an independent shaft for each wheel, a pair of oppositely-driven clutch members, a clutch system for and having operative connection lwith each shaft, means under the control of the operator for independently actuating said clutch systems for eecting at will driving connection of either or both of said yshafts with either or both of said clutch members, said means comprising rearwardly-extending flexible members for operating the clutches in one direction and springs tensioned by such operation for operating the clutches in the opposite direction, and means for locking the clutches where set. y 11. In combination with a traction engine having' two traction wheels, means for diferentially driving said wheels comprising an independent shaft for each wheel, a pair of oppositely-driven clutch members, and means under the control of the operator for effecting at will driving connection of either or both of said shafts with either or both of said clutch members, said means including rearwardlyextending iiexible lines.

12. In combination with 'a traction engine` having two traction wheels, a frame incid ing a' transverse axle upon which said whee s are journaled, said frame comprisdistance between the wheels, and another ing a frame member: resting upon the axle and of a width substantiallyequal to the frame member below the axle' ofa width lower portion of said frame so as. to hang suspended from theaxle` and be confined vto the width of the lower frame member.

13.l In combination with a traction envgine havin" two traction wheels, means for dilerentia ly driving said wheels comprising an independent shaft 'for ,each wheel, a

pair of oppositely-driven clutch members, 'a

gear between said clutch members having `driving connection with one of said shafts,

I lcontrollable means connected with said ge' i' for operatively` connecting the samewl h either of said clutch members, a second gear having operative connection with the other shaft, and controllable means forV operatively connecting said Second gear to either 0f said clutch members.

14. In combination with a traction engine having two traction wheels, means for diflerentially driving said wheels' comprising an independent shaft for eachwheel, a pair of dinible-faced clutch members provided with facing bevel gears, a bevel gear on the crank shaft of the engine meshing with both of said bevel gears for driving the clutch members in opposite directions, a' gear provided with a pair of clutch faces under the control of the operator for opei'at-ing either of said sets ofvclutch members independently and at will for edecting driving connection of either or both of said shafts with either of said oppositelydriven gears.

15. In combination with a traction engine having two traction wheels, means for differentially driving said wheels comprising an independent shaft for each wheel, a transmission device for each shaft including a..

clutch for separately driving each wheel forward, independent reversing means for each wheel, and a single operating member one position to bring the clutch elements into driving relation to cause the corresponding tractor wheel to travel forward and adapted when moved into another pogine having two independently driven traction wheels at opposite sides of the, frame, a

.V pair of oppositely driven clutch I'members ,for each of Saidwheels and means'under the control of the operator for effecting at will, driving connection of'either orfbothof the wheels' with either of its or their coli-ne? spending clutch members.

17. In a traction engine, the combinatie" with traction and supportingwheels capa/il ble vof beingdriven independently of one another and .supporting the machine from vopposite sides, of clutches one for each wheel whereby ,the samemay be positively connected to the driving power independently of the. other, clutch operating lines extending-back of the drawbar of the en. gine to permit the operator, by pulling on said lines, .to disconnect either clutch and springs operating on said clutches in the opposite direction to said pull to throw the ,iso

75 one adapted to engage one of said for- 100 `for each wheel adapted when moved into y I clutches into engagement when the pull on through 'a transmission and clutches ory clutch sets one for each wheel, said clutches or clutch sets being operable independently of one another and each adapted to reverse the drive of its tractor' wheel or disconnect it from the motor at will and independently of the drive or disconnection of the other wheel, A

i,19; Means for controllin and steering a traction engine provided with a pair of independently mounted tractor wheels support-ing the machine at oppositev sides of its frame, said means comprising clutches or clutch sets one for each tractor wheel,each clutch 'set being adapted to connect or disconnect its tractor wheel lfrom the drive power and independently of the operation of the other clutch or clutch set and line connected with said clutch sets respectively through suitable operating devices to shift the' clutches in'one direction and retracting devices acting to shift the clutches in the opposite direction when the pull on the line or lines is slackened.

20. Means for controlling and steering a i traction engine provided with a pair of independently mounted traction wheels supporting the machine from opposite sides, said means comprising clutches or clutch sets one for each wheel, each clutch or clutch set being adapted to reverse the drive of its wheel or disconnect it from the motor as desired and means operable by the driver for shifting the clutch set for either tractor wheel at will and, independently of that for the other wheel into either of the three positions required respectively for forward drive, for backward drive or for disconnecting it from the driving power.

2l. A traction engine Ihaving a pair of independently mounted and driven traction wheels supporting the machine Vfrom opposite sides and having means for controlling the forward and steering or turning movements of the engine comprising a clutch or clutch set one for each traction wheel adapted each to reverse the drive of its tractor wheel or disconnect it from the motor at will and independently of the `other and an actuating or controlling device for each clutch operable in one direction by the driver and in the other operated by a retracting device acting on the same in the opposite direction to the pull whereby the driver. by pulling or slackening the pull on said actuating devices, may shift the clutch set for either wheel at will and independently ofthe other into any one of the -dependently mounted tractor w i www required positions for forward drive, for backward drive or. for disconnecting the wheel from the driving power.

22. A traction independentlymounted and 'driven traction` wheels supportin the frame of the machine from opposite sides, a single motor driven drive shaft, a transmission system having a set of transmission elements for each wheel through which the whe may be driven in either direction or m y be disconnected from the drive power anti a single control lever for each set acting on said set in the three several positions spectively to produce forward or rearward drive of the wheel or to disconnect it, and a retracting device for each control lever acting thereon to hold or shift the' same into the extreme position appro ward driveso thatl by pulling or relaxing the pull upon either or both of said two control levers only, both traction wheels may be driven in the same direction either forlward or backward oreither maybe driven by itself either forward or backward or may I l steering tract-ion engine provided with a air of 1neels supthe machine at oppositesides of its said means comprising clutches or porting frame,

clutch sets clutch set being 'adapted to connect or disconnect its tractor wheel from the ldrive power or to reverse the drive' and independl ently of the operation of the other clutch or clutch set, and clutch sets respectively through suitable 0p'- erating devices for shifting said clutches by a pull upon the'lines progressively from position for forward drive, through neutral or central position, to position drive, and retracting devices actin to shift the clutches in the opposite direction when the pull on the line 'or lines is slackened.

24. A traction engine having a air of independently mounted and rotatab e driving and supporting wheels at opposite sides'of the machine and having its drive motor and system of transmission between the motor and tractor wheels mounted on a frame pendnlously suspended wheels and arranged respectively at opposite sides of the axis and below the same so as l to counterbalance one another and preserve said frairie in stabhl equilibrium. dependently mounted and rotatable driving and supporting wheelsy for'opposite sides of the machine, a frame freely suspended from the axis of said wheels and a driving en- A traction engine having a pair of ingine and transmission machinery mounted three engine having a pair of 70 of said lever' re- 80 ri'ate for fora5 one for each tractor wheel, each 100 lines connected with said 10c for rearward 1.10

from the axis of said 120 in said Afreine below the axleandres'peetively to the front and rear of the axle to counterbalance one another.

QG. In a traction engine, the combination with independently driven tractor Wheels supporting the machine from opposite sides, o f two independently operable control levers,

. ineens connected to each lever for operatively connecting said Wheels with the drive motor to produce forward drive, to discon-f neet the drive, and to produce rearward drive in the three several positions respecf Lively of said lever, av retreating device for nach lever Voperating on the same to hold it in fposition for forivardddrive or to retract il, rom the shifted positlon of the levei` for producing rearward drive back through central position, to said position forforward drive, whereby the operator, by merely pulling said levers against the action of the springs or by relaxing the pull, may cause the engine to move either forward or backvvvard in a direct line or may steer the engine during either forward or backward movement or may cause it to turn upon itself in either direction.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of tivo Witnesses.

` ARTHUR D. COLE. Witnesses:

F. J. GRAHAM, LUCY BoWLEs. 

